Reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment

ABSTRACT

A reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment comprising: the bonnet having a heat reflecting inner layer and an outer layer made of a durable and flexible plastic material; a collar protector extending integrally from the lower part of the bonnet; the bonnet having a set of receptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape so that the bonnet and the cape can be releasably attached together; the cape having sleeves located at the front so as to free up arm movement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to GB Request Application serialnumber 2016590.8, filed on Oct. 19, 2020 entitled “Reusable andadjustable heat insulating bonnet for use in hair salons”, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to body covering garments butmore particularly to a reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnetand a cape combination for use in hair treatment particularly for hairsalons.

2. Description of Related Art

In hair salons, a bonnet is fitted over the hair portion of the head ofthe client so as to trap body heat and thus accelerate the dying andbleaching and other hair treatment processes. Another piece of plasticis also used to cover the clothes around the collar of the client.

The main drawback in using a disposable bonnet is of course anenvironmental concern as several bonnets can be thrown out on a dailybasis. The type of plastic currently in use by hair salons is not thekind of plastic that is easily recyclable.

In art not directly related to hair salons or hair dressing in, thereare U.S. Pat. Nos. 0,946,770 and 1,056,391 that describe a bonnet orbeanie which has a small neck cape which is retained by press studs.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 822,986, 981,738 describes a head bonnet which isconnected to a bonnet-like piece of clothing which covers the anteriorand posterior portions of the body. Front openings give free passage tothe arms.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,232,567, 1,652,145, 2,156,251, 4,468,815 and 4,864,662,as well as German patents DE710,269 and French FR792,832 describe a hator a head bonnet which is adjustable in dimensions. Buttons or a cordensure an increase in the diameter of the hat.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,485,392, 4,980,928 and 20060248623 describe a head hator a bonnet which is connected to a piece of clothing for the body inparticular by means of buttons or hook and loop fasteners.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,804,695, 2,919,494, 3714,670, 5,249,308 and20080196144, as well as international patent WO2017031085 describe ahead bonnet which in particular comprises various layers and/or aperipheral compression elastic.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,690 describes a protective garment for the bodywhich can in particular receive a cape. The two are notably connected bymeans of press studs.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,868.728 4,171,542, 4,408,357, 4,535,481 and 4,622,699,as well as European patent EP1224876 describe a garment for the bodywhich has in particular sleeves which may be earlier, depending on itsinstallation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,149 describes a protective cape that covers theentire body.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,225,422 describes a piece of clothing which can inparticular receive a cape.

The two are notably linked by press studs.

Chinese patent CN202697771 describes a body garment which has inparticular front openings to allow the hands to pass.

Although the art of bonnets and capes appears to be a very crowded art,there is no prior art directly related to the field of hairdressing suchas performed in hair salons, although the current situation, besides theuse of disposable equipment, has the problems of:

a) not offering many size adjustable options;

b) not being fully configured to trap heat around the head area so as toincrease treatment efficiency;

c) providing ergonomic features for the intended user (client

d) providing ease of use and installation for the hairdresser.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

In view of the unresolved problems by the prior art, is a main object ofthe present disclosure to provide for a reusable and adjustable, heatinsulating bonnet.

Although the prior art has had capability and motivation, amplysufficient to presumably give incentive to the development of a cape andbonnet to solve the current situation in hair salons, the fact remainsthat the problem awaited the creativity and inventive discovery of thepresent inventor. In spite of ample motivation and capability shown bythe many illustrations herein, the prior art did not suggest thisinvention.

In order to do so, there is provided a bonnet having a heat reflectinginner layer and an outer layer. The bonnet is pleated at the back aswell as having a drawstring so that it is size adjustable so as to matchthe client's head size. This is particularly important since sometreatments require the use of aluminum foil sheets, which makes the headbigger. A collar protector extends integrally from the lower part of thebonnet. The bonnet has a set of receptacles for receiving press studslocated at the top of the cape.

Even in hindsight consideration of the present invention to determineits inventive and novel nature, it is not only conceded but emphasizedthat the prior art had many details usable in this invention, but onlyif the prior art had the guidance of the present invention, details ofboth capability and motivation.

Applicant, being a hairdresser, had the idea for an adjustable, washableand reusable thermal bonnet, which is in line with today's tendenciestowards more eco-responsible products.

The adjustable function of the head bonnet, or beanie is very important.As of now, in hair salons, disposable plastic bonnets are not largeenough to fully cover the head of the client—who is the intendeduser—having foil wicks wrapped around their hair. The back of the bonnethas a plurality of pleats so as to adjust its size in order tocompletely cover the client's head. By making the bonnet adjustable, theproblem is solved. Moreover, the bonnet is accompanied by a cape withsleeves in the front, and not the sides, as often seen in somedisposable raincoats. Having the sleeves in the front provides morefreedom for the client who is generally seated in a chair with armrests.With the sleeves at the front, it makes it easier to free the arms andhands for holding a magazine, a tablet or a phone. While waiting for thetreatment to be completed. The cape with sleeves is of course optimizedin size for covering all of an intended user's clothing.

The sleeves, cape and bonnet are made from a soft, stain resistantvinyl. The interior of the bonnet is made of a thermal blackout fabricto reflect the heat back towards the head of the intended user. Adrawstring at the front of the bonnet ensures that it can be adjustablyclosed around the face in order to retain the maximum heath on the hair.Aside for making hair wicks, the bonnet and cape can also be used forother hair treatments such as moisturizing, repair, keratin, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, a collar protector extends integrally fromthe lower part of the bonnet; the bonnet has a set of receptacles forreceiving press studs located at the top of the cape so that the bonnetand the cape can be releasably attached together.

In a preferred embodiment, a hook and loop strap tightens the backportion of the bonnet where the pleats are located; press studs allowthe rear collar of the cape to be attached to the bonnet.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the bonnet has the exterior layermade out of polyester and the interior layer is made out ofpolyurethane.

The bonnet and cape combination has a method for installing the reusableand adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape consisting in the stepsof:

a) placing the cape on the intended user while seated;

b) the intended user putting her arms into the sleeves;

c) the bonnet is placed on the head of the intended user by adjustingthe pleats as required;

d) the bonnet is attached to the cape by pressing the press studs;

e) the drawstrings are tightened to fit around a face portion of theintended user; and

f) the pleats are secured by way of the hook and loop.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent andimportant features of the present disclosure so that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood andso that the present contribution to the art can be more fullyappreciated. Additional features of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should berealized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures donot depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view, looking at the interior of the bonnet, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A Rear view of the bonnet, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B Close up of the press stubs, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3A Front view of the bonnet tightened, according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3B Close up view of the drawstrings, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4A Rear view of the bonnet tightened, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4B Close up view of the press studs, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 Front view of the cape showing the sleeves, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, since the general principles of the present invention have beendefined herein to specifically provide a ratchet socket organizer.

It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as tomean “at least one”. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined astwo or more. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at leasta second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein,are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” asused herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,not necessarily mechanically, and not permanent. The term “providing” isdefined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming intophysical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone orsomething, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period oftime. As used herein, the terms “about”, “generally”, or “approximately”apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. Theseterms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the artwould consider near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, includingincrements therein. In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

Referring now to any of the accompanying FIGS. 1-4, there is provided areusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet (10). The bonnet (10) isfurther comprised of a heat reflecting inner layer (16) and an outerlayer (18) made of a durable yet flexible plastic material.

A collar protector (12) extends integrally from the lower part of thebonnet (10). The bonnet (10) has a set of receptacles (20) for receivingpress studs (22) located at the top of the cape (12) so that the bonnet(10) and the cape (12) can be releasably attached together.

The bonnet (10) has a plurality of pleats (24) at its rear portion tomake it adjustable to match the intended user's head size. The use of aplurality of pleats (24), not found in any related prior art, instead ofa single pleat, or fold, allows for the bonnet (10) to maintain a sizethat is compatible with the intended user's head volume while avoidingunnecessary “bagginess” or tail flap if using a single fold. Drawstrings(26) adjust the tightness of the bonnet (10) around the intended user'sface while a hook and loop strap (28) tightens the back portion of thebonnet (10) where the pleats (24) are located. Press studs (22) allowthe rear collar of the cape to be attached to the bonnet.

The bonnet (10) is made out of two layers. The exterior is polyester andthe interior is polyurethane.

The cape (12) with its sleeves (14) is optimized in size for coveringall of an intended user's clothing, and the sleeves are located at thefront so as to make it easier to free the arms and hands for holding amagazine, a tablet or a phone. This feature is not found in the priorart, including current disposable capes found in hair salons, eventhough it can easily be made in a disposable cape and the motivation isthere. It is only through this inventor's ingenuity that this and thepleated bonnet (10) that this is done in this instant invention.

There is a method for installing the bonnet and cape combination on anintended user which consists in the steps of:

a) placing the cape (12) on the intended user while seated;

b) the intended user puts her arms into the sleeves (14);

c) the bonnet (10) is placed on the head of the intended user byadjusting the pleats (24) as required;

d) the bonnet (10) is attached to the cape (12) by pressing the pressstuds (22);

e) the drawstrings (20) are tightened to fit around a face portion ofthe intended user; and

f) the pleats (24) are secured by way of the hook and loop (28).

Accordingly, the various concepts and components are conceded andemphasized to have been widely known in the prior art as to variousinstallations; nevertheless, the prior art not having had the particularcombination of concepts and details as here presented and shown in novelcombination different from the prior art and its suggestions, even onlya fair amount of realistic humility, to avoid consideration of thisinvention improperly by hindsight, requires the concepts andachievements here to be realistically viewed as a novel combination,inventive in nature. And especially is this a realistic considerationwhen viewed from the position of a person of ordinary skill in this artat the time of this invention, and without trying to reconstruct thisinvention from the prior art without use of hindsight toward particularsnot suggested by the prior art.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail inlanguage specific to structural features, it is to be understood thatthe invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limitedto the specific features described. Rather, the specific features aredisclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimedinvention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the inventionhave been described, numerous variations and alternative embodimentswill occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternateembodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the organizer may be adifferent shape as long as rotation is enabled between the upper sectionand base section of the organizer.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, thelabels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse,clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such asupper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal,distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. havebeen used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to implyany particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used toreflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations betweenvarious portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. membersthroughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used toshow a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used todistinguish or identify the various members of the group.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnetand a cape combination for use in hair treatment comprising: the bonnethaving a heat reflecting inner layer and an outer layer made of adurable and flexible plastic material; a collar protector extendingintegrally from the lower part of the bonnet; the bonnet having a set ofreceptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape sothat the bonnet and the cape can be releasably attached together; thecape having sleeves located at the front so as to free up arm movement.2. The reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape ofclaim 1 wherein the bonnet having pleats at its rear portion for sizeadjustability on an intended user's head.
 3. The reusable and adjustableheat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 wherein drawstrings adjustthe tightness of the bonnet around the intended user's face.
 4. Thereusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 2wherein a hook and loop strap tightens the back portion of the bonnetwhere the pleats are located; press studs allowing the rear collar ofthe cape to be attached to the bonnet.
 5. The reusable and adjustableheat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 wherein the bonnet has theexterior layer made out of polyester and the interior layer made out ofpolyurethane.
 6. A method for installing the reusable and adjustableheat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 consisting in the steps of:a) placing the cape on the intended user while seated; b) the intendeduser putting her arms into the sleeves; c) the bonnet is placed on thehead of the intended user by adjusting the pleats as required; d) thebonnet is attached to the cape by pressing the press studs; e) thedrawstrings are tightened to fit around a face portion of the intendeduser; and f) the pleats are secured by way of the hook and loop.